LUNAR GRANITE MASS
A rarity outside Earth, Granite may be lurking beneath the Lunar surface
The discovery of a mysterious, heat-emitting blob buried under the surface of the far side of the Moon begs further investigation
Granite is an igneous rock that forms from the slow cooling and crystallization of magma deep within the Earth’s crust. Composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica minerals, granite’s formation requires specific geological conditions — including the right chemical composition of rocks, heat, and pressure. Earth’s active tectonic activity, with plate movements and crustal recycling, contributes significantly to granite formation, making it relatively rare on other celestial bodies with different compositions and less dynamic geological processes.
No wonder the far side of the moon has recently been the focus of most of the recent lunar missions. It appears that this side of our satellite hides a lot more secrets. Many of the previous assumptions about the moon being a ‘dead surface’ with no signs of any water or tectonic activity are now being challenged. Novel discoveries are reigniting the lunar Moon race — different space agencies and private corporations are all set to land on the lunar surface within this decade.
